Practising Practical Consciousness

We don’t have to develop consciousness; it’s already present. We just have to be aware that consciousness is not only present, it’s what we are – consciousness, pure and simple. This isn’t something we can think about, as the mind is the wrong instrument for perceiving awareness. The mind deals in memory, whereas consciousness is direct perception.

All the things that we ‘practise’, such as prayers, pujas, mudras, mantras, prostrations, mandalas, offerings … they’re just things to do, and can become lifestyle distractions. They don’t make us more aware – we can be just as aware when going to the toilet.

It’s all a confidence trick that’s supposed to give us confidence, but we merely become reliant, imagining that we are conscious. True confidence comes from knowing what we are. It’s authenticity is empathetic compassion – we know what it’s like to be stuck in the mind.

Practical consciousness is actually being more worldly,
as we can cope with anything.

That is being practical.